New and Noteworthy: XP to Vista vs. OS 9 to OS X; Apple settles iTunes patent suit; more

XP to Vista vs. OS 9 to OS X Writing for eWeek, David Morgenstern compares the transition from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X and the transition from Windows XP to Windows Vista, saying "Unlike the situation with Vista, Mac users had plenty of time?more than a year and a half?to ignore the new OS if they chose to do so. Customers could make up their minds about OS X in their own time frame and still have the security of knowing their existing workflows would be maintained while upgrading hardware. In fact, support for the Classic environment was only stopped with the release of Intel-based Macs. By my reckoning, Microsoft is sending the opposite message with its Vista rollout: You will be grateful for the 'Windows Vista Experience' -- Period!" More.

Apple settles iTunes patent suit News.com reports that Apple has reached a settlement with a Vermont firm that claimed the Mac maker's iTunes music software swiped its patented design. "According to the Burlington Free Press, which reported the settlement on Friday, patent owner David Contois and his family run a 35-year-old musical instrument and technology store in Essex Junction, Vt." More.

Apple VR tour of New York store available now Macworld UK reports that Apple has published a virtual tour of its flagship New York Fifth Avenue store. "If you are unlikely to make it to New York in the near future, the page allows you to take a glimpse at the 24/7, underground Mac Mecca, which is capped with a distinctive glass cube on the surface of Fifth Avenue itself." More.

Previously on MacFixIt:

• PowerBook G4/iBook battery recall (#5): Some replacement batteries damaged; Shipping discrepancies
• Controlling Safari's PDF display: Viewing documents inline, with another application, third-party plug-ins
• Reminder: Workaround for problems playing embedded QuickTime media (in Safari and other browsers)
• Safari: Problems with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Web site

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